Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Azerbaijan: Land Mines

Lord Evans of Watford: To ask Her Majesty's Government, (1) what assistance they have provided, and (2) what plans they have to provide assistance, to the government of Azerbaijan to help with its ongoing efforts to clear landmines in that country.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: In June the Ministry of Defence sent Counter Explosives Experts to survey parts of Azerbaijan worst effected by unexplored ordnance to understand how the UK can best support Azerbaijan in this area. The Minister for Europe and Americas announced in September that the UK had contributed £500,000 to a United Nations Development Programme initiative to take action on mines left in the region as a legacy of the conflict in and around Nagorno-Karabakh. These funds will assist with training and personnel to support de-mining in Azerbaijan.

NATO-Russia Council

Lord Goodlad: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of Russia about the future of the NATO–Russia Council.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK fully supports NATO's offer of a NATO-Russia Council first made in February 2020, regrets that Russia is currently choosing not to accept it and encourages Russia to do so. All Allies support a dual-track approach to Russia of strengthened deterrence and defence, alongside dialogue. This was most recently affirmed by Allied Leaders when they met in Brussels for the June 2021 NATO Summit. HMG continues to support NATO's openness to periodic, focused and meaningful dialogue with Russia, but there can be no return to business as usual until Russia ceases its aggressive actions and returns to compliance with its obligations under international law. At any NATO-Russia Council, discussion of Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea should be the first item on the agenda.

Haiti: Politics and Government

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current (1) political, and (2) security, situation in Haiti; and what assessment they have made of reportsof an increase in (a) gang-related violence, (b) strikes, and (c) mass protests, in Port-au-Prince.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The UK is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation in Haiti and the impact this is having on both the Haitian people and attempts to return to political stability following the assassination of President Moise. We are closely following developments. We encourage all actors to work in cooperation with the international community and the United Nations to tackle these serious challenges. The UK continues to use our platform both in country and at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to support the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Haiti, Helen Meagher La Lime and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, BINUH, in their ongoing diplomatic engagement with, and support to, the Haitian authorities and civil society.

Nicaragua: Politics and Government

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current (1) political, and (2) security, situation in Nicaragua, ahead of the general election in that country on 7 November.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: The presidential election that took place in Nicaragua on 7 November was an election in name only. It was neither free, nor fair. The abuses committed by the Ortega-Murillo regime have prevented the Nicaraguan people from making the democratic choice they have the right to make. The UK calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all opposition leaders and other political prisoners in Nicaragua and for the full restoration of all of their civil and political rights.Prior to the election, we raised our concerns repeatedly in London, Managua and at multilateral fora. On 8 November, the day after the presidential election, Her Majesty's Government published a statement highlighting the UK's deep concern over the deterioration of political and human rights in Nicaragua and the subversion of democratic processes. We will continue to work closely with our partners to promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Nicaragua.